£1K Bike on C2W Scheme - Help Needed

kelboy

I had a few pre-reqs when selecting my bike on the C2W Scheme - looking for some help and advice and hopefully the bikes I have looked at are all similar and reflect my hopefully decent judgment on good bikes at that value to decide from.
1. Shimano 105 groupset is deemed outstanding for the value of the bikes I'm looking at
2. Other than the bike size, is there such a thing as a best bike that suits my body size - a sporty 5' 5"....?
3. Carbon Fork/Seatpost appears to be better than aluminium so get those if you can
4. Most riding will be road to/from work so relatively flat/smooth (pot holes aargh) so wheel/tyres I suspect are a potential issue but I have no idea here at all

So I arrived at 3 bikes which all have the 105 and carbon forks/seatpost and similar in weight (9 to 9.5kgs) so I concluded that knowing nothing about wheels and tyres, these might be the deal breaker or is it...?

Looking for advice on the tyres/wheel and "anything else" about these 3 bikes in particular (no particular order) that would steer me towards or away from one or the other... all/any advice gratefully received..

a) Scott Speedster 20 - Syncros Race 28 Aero Profile 20F/24R Rims and Schwalbe Lugano 700x23C Tyres
b) Merida Race Lite 904 - Merida Rm500 Rims and Vittoria Rubino Slick 23 60 KV tyres
c) Felt Z85 - Mavic CXP-22 Rims and Felt all-weather PRB 700x25c tyres

Billy

Guanajuato

I recently went through the same. My advice would be try each bike out.
I'd not get overly hung up about 105 - maybe try out SRAM or even microshift-equipped bikes. I ended up with a Trek Domane 2. Its 'only' tiagra groupset, but I actually preferred it to to 105 I tried. I found the 105 hoods too fat for my hands. But everyone is different, so they might suit you. Groupset can be upgraded, frame isn't so easy.

Of the bikes I tried, all were marketed as being designed to soak up the bumps and be comfortable. The Trek was just streets ahead in that regard. The others I tried were Norco Valence (105) & Moda Bolero (microshift).

anthdci

giant defy 1 gets the best reviews but because of that you may struggle to find one. I was tempted by the Scott for the same price.

kelboy

Thank you guys, some things I've since found out.
Guanajuato. In my bike scheme, these 3 bikes are not available so unfortunately out........
Anthdci - The Defy 1 is avail and looks good. I'm veering towards the Scott over the Felt Z85 which I ruled out but the Merida is still in the frame as the spec is very good, v.v.close to the Scott and £100 cheaper...mmmmm

I'm also told the Scott has a full 105 set and therefore better 'technically' so might plump for that.......on yr advice, would you have gone Defy1 or Scott Sppedster 20.??? A

And what about rims and tyres. as a relatively inexperienced road bike man, it strikes me that less emphasis is put on what 'hits the tarmac' so advice in that respect for these 2 bikes most appreciated...

After all this, it's decision timeforme I suspect and not going to hover around too much - they are all not too far apart at the end of the day. - thanks again guys......

Levenstein

HOY Bike range .003 - Felt really nice riding round on, 105 throughout.

grim168

I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. For me it was between scott and defy 1. I test rode the scott and liked it so got that. I can't seem to get excited about giants although the defy gets cracking reviews. the scott is much more comfortable than my old ribble winter trainer. I don't think you'd be disapointed with either. Follow your heart.

anthdci

see if you can get a test ride on the scott and the giant and see which one you find fits you the best.

ianwilliams

I don't think any of those are full 105 - pretty sure all have different brakes, cassettes and chainsets.

But their specs are still good. Just try them out and see which you like best. I don't think any of them would disappoint.

essjaydee

I recently bought Defy1 based on excellent reviews, 105 groupset apart from brakes, carbon seat post and sealed bearing hubs. A must if your riding through the typical snotty winters.

Great bike and very pleased with it so far. Rides really nice for an aloominum frame and geometry quite relaxed so not nervous over rougher roads. Will fit mudguards when weather turns, and advise you ensure whatever you decide on, will take a good set of guards for all year comfort. You will find the main compromise on lower priced bikes is the wheel set and tyres. The giant tyres feel pretty good so far, but will change them to conti gatorskins 25mm for autumn/winter use, as I rate these very highly.

dazzlers82

Again I went through what you are and ended with the Scott an I'm pleased I did as its a great bike an so much lighter than my old one, loads of people get the giant so be different an get the Scott you won't be disappointed

essjaydee

Stanley222 wrote:

You have to ride the bikes to work out what suits you not listen to advice from others - what works for me doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you!
If you're new to road bikes why not buy 2nd hand to see if you actually like them or get on with them before possibly wasting 1k on something you might hate? There are plenty of good bikes on eBay at a good price or the classifieds on here.
The Giant Defy 1 won bike of the year last year so don't rule that out but there's nothing wrong with Tiagra gearing so you don't need 105 - why spend 1k if you don't need to?!
Check out the likes of Ribble and Planet X too - if you really want to spend 1k you can have a full carbon bike for that price!

Good advice, except your full carbon quote. There are some very good carbon frames, but you won't get one below 1K :!:
Don't be suckered into buying a carbon framed bike, just because it's carbon, and certainly don't buy a bike you can't test ride first

NCFC

Stanley222 wrote:

If you're new to road bikes why not buy 2nd hand to see if you actually like them or get on with them before possibly wasting 1k on something you might hate? There are plenty of good bikes on eBay at a good price or the classifieds on here

He's buying on the cycle to work scheme, so 2nd hand bikes aren't an option. If he doesn't get on with it he can sell the bike fairly quickly and not make a loss, as after the tax savings he'll be paying £54ish x 12 for the bike, but could sell it after a couple of months if he doesn't enjoy it for £700 - £800.

NCFC

Stanley222 wrote:

NCFC wrote:

Stanley222 wrote:

If you're new to road bikes why not buy 2nd hand to see if you actually like them or get on with them before possibly wasting 1k on something you might hate? There are plenty of good bikes on eBay at a good price or the classifieds on here

He's buying on the cycle to work scheme, so 2nd hand bikes aren't an option. If he doesn't get on with it he can sell the bike fairly quickly and not make a loss, as after the tax savings he'll be paying £54ish x 12 for the bike, but could sell it after a couple of months if he doesn't enjoy it for £700 - £800.

I was trying to stop him committing to 12 months of payments when he might be able to get a bike for £200-£300. You're wrong to say you can sell the bike after a couple of months as the bike isn't yours to sell until you've paid the 12 monthly payments and the final lump sum

You pay the 12 months and then it's up to the employer what happens after that. Some will just give you the bike, others give you the option of buying it with a lump some or 'leasing' it for 3 more years at 5% of the bike value. The latter is the most sensible option. You can do whatever you want with the bike though. The employer doesn't know whether you've sold it or not, you'll just keep making those payments until the bike is given to you.

southdownswolf

NCFC wrote:

Stanley222 wrote:

NCFC wrote:

Stanley222 wrote:

If you're new to road bikes why not buy 2nd hand to see if you actually like them or get on with them before possibly wasting 1k on something you might hate? There are plenty of good bikes on eBay at a good price or the classifieds on here

He's buying on the cycle to work scheme, so 2nd hand bikes aren't an option. If he doesn't get on with it he can sell the bike fairly quickly and not make a loss, as after the tax savings he'll be paying £54ish x 12 for the bike, but could sell it after a couple of months if he doesn't enjoy it for £700 - £800.

I was trying to stop him committing to 12 months of payments when he might be able to get a bike for £200-£300. You're wrong to say you can sell the bike after a couple of months as the bike isn't yours to sell until you've paid the 12 monthly payments and the final lump sum

You pay the 12 months and then it's up to the employer what happens after that. Some will just give you the bike, others give you the option of buying it with a lump some or 'leasing' it for 3 more years at 5% of the bike value. The latter is the most sensible option. You can do whatever you want with the bike though. The employer doesn't know whether you've sold it or not, you'll just keep making those payments until the bike is given to you.

Advising that the OP could sell the bike, when quite clearly legally he can not, really is not wise....

If it were me, I would buy a £200 second hand bike, see if I like riding a road bike, then "upgrade" next year on the next round of cyclescheme.